Ureaplasma Urealyticum

The bacterium ureaplasma urealyticum is not considered to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, it can be transmitted through sexual contact and experts believe that a large proportion of sexually active individuals are infected with the bacterium.

Ureaplasma urealyticum is part of the mycoplasma genus. It lives in the urinary tract of many people without causing any problems. It only becomes noticeable when it multiplies beyond the usual control.

It is thought that around 70% of sexually active adults are infected with UUR and it is linked to another condition such as bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Doctors do not believe that UUR is a STI like chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis. However, the fact that it can be transmitted by sexual contact means that it is increasingly discussed in the same studies.

Many people with UUR do not experience symptoms. However when symptoms do occur in women, they can include:

• Discomfort during urination
• Urethral irritation
• Strange vaginal discharge
• Change in odour
• Atypical vaginal bleeding
• Lower abdominal pains

In addition some women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as a result of a UUR infection. When symptoms do occur in men, they can include:

• Discomfort during urination
• Urethral irritation
• Urethral discharge

Men with UUR may also develop nongonococcal urethritis.

A UUR diagnosis is often made at the same time as other STIs or epididymitis.

Ureaplasma urealyticum is a genital mycoplasma that colonizes the genital tract. UUR is highly contagious and can be spread by sexual contact, blood, needles, saliva, and even through air particles.

For the infection to be transmitted an infected person has to pass on bodily fluids to another person. This mainly occurs with sexual fluids, saliva, and blood, although it can also occur through eye and nose secretions or material produced by coughing.

You will need to get a test to find out if you have UUR. It is easy to do so either by visiting your doctor or a local sexual health clinic.

It is important to get regular sexual health check-ups if you are sexually active. If you have unprotected sex with a new or casual sexual partner, or unprotected sex with a partner that you think may have had other sexual partners, it is advisable to get a test.

Always have a check-up if you have been sexually active in countries where infection rates for STIs are high.

A UUR test will be carried out by a doctor or nurse. They will ask you a series of questions about your sex life and may examine your genitals. You will then be asked to provide either a urine sample or a vaginal swab for testing.

Results usually take around 36 hours to be processed. Your test results will be completely confidential.

As with many other types of STI, UUR can cause complications if it is not treated. This means that testing and treatment is very important.

A positive test for UUR will mean that your medical team will prescribe treatment. In most cases, UUR is easily treatable using antibiotics.

You will most likely be prescribed one of two common antibiotics containing the active ingredient doxycycline or azithromycin. Both are available on prescription only.

Before you take the antibiotics it is important to tell your doctor about any other medication that you may be taking. This is because certain medicines can interact with each other and cause side effects.

Why treating UUR is important

UUR can cause long-term health complications if it isn't treated. This is true for both men and women, but pregnant women and their foetuses are at most risk.

• Untreated UUR can lead to premature labour, stillborn birth or miscarriage. Some infections may be passed on to the foetus, and may cause intra-amniotic infection or premature birth.
• Premature babies or newborns could suffer low birth weight, pneumonia, septicaemia, or meningitis due to untreated UUR.
• Men could develop epididymitis, infertility, prostate infection or problems with the sexual accessory glands, which produce semen if they have untreated UUR.

Treatment can also reduce the stress and anxiety that is associated with STIs. This can improve your sexual confidence and lead to a more enjoyable sex life.

It is very rare for STIs to go away by themselves. Getting tested and treated is the best option.

If you test positive for UUR, it is essential that you tell past and present sexual partners. Some people feel uncomfortable telling their sexual partners about an infection. If you would rather not tell them yourself, you can use one of a number of services that will do so anonymously.

Preventing UUR is easier if you use condoms or other barrier protection methods during sex, including female condoms or dental dams. Dams should also be used during oral sex to prevent infection due to the transfer of bodily fluids.

Using protection is the best way to prevent infection. You can also reduce your risk of exposure by reducing the number of sexual partners that you have. Infection rates go up if you have multiple sexual partners or partners that have multiple sexual partners.

Sexual health is incredibly important and should be monitored. Use condoms, get regular tests and tell your past partners if you do have a positive test.

By taking responsibility for your sexual health you can help to reduce infection rates and cut down on long-term health complications caused by untreated STIs.